THE HUNT

PETER THOMPSON (4)

“Metres outside of Rekero Camp in the Masai Mara, I drove past a young warthog grazing in the midday heat. All of a sudden, a flourish of birds began ducking and diving, and that’s when I saw her, appearing from her cool, shadowy resting area: Bahati, the beautiful and elusive pregnant leopard. Her gaze was fixed on her prey, and I had just enough time to grab my camera lens before she stalked and flushed out the warthog. When Bahati gave chase, it was as though the natural surroundings had stopped to witness her performance. It was eerily quiet, yet beautiful to watch. I could not believe that I had the privilege of being the only one around. Scenes such as this make the excitement of the Mara something to be truly admired.”